Need to Make a Move, But Tied Up in Your Current Home?
You’re not alone - and you’re not stuck. At Journey Real Estate, we work with clients every day who are trying to figure out how to buy and sell at the same time. Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, or making a big lifestyle move, it can feel like a logistical headache. But the good news? You’ve got options - and we’ve got the playbook. Our team is here to help you understand the most effective strategies based on your timing, finances, and goals. Below is a quick cheatsheet to help you explore your options and start thinking about which one may be right for you.
Your Buy-Sell Strategy Cheatsheet
Here’s a breakdown of the most common approaches—with real pros and cons to help you make a smart move:
Buy with a Sale Contingency
Make an offer on a new home that's contingent on selling your current one first.
Pros
✅ Less financial risk - you don’t buy unless your current home sells
✅ Familiar process for most buyers and sellers
✅ You know exactly how much you’ll net before committing
✅ Less financial risk - you don’t buy unless your current home sells
✅ Familiar process for most buyers and sellers
✅ You know exactly how much you’ll net before committing
Cons
❌ Less competitive offer - many sellers avoid contingent buyers
❌ Timing the dominoes can get tricky
❌ Potential for added stress or missed opportunities
❌ Less competitive offer - many sellers avoid contingent buyers
❌ Timing the dominoes can get tricky
❌ Potential for added stress or missed opportunities
Sell First, Then Rent (Temporarily), Then Buy
Sell your current home first, then rent short-term while searching for the next one.
Pros
✅ Know your exact net proceeds before buying
✅ Make non-contingent, stronger offers on the next home
✅ Easier logistics for prepping, staging, and selling
✅ Know your exact net proceeds before buying
✅ Make non-contingent, stronger offers on the next home
✅ Easier logistics for prepping, staging, and selling
Cons
❌ Two moves (and possible storage costs)
❌ Short-term rental market can be tight
❌ Disrupts routine - especially with kids or pets
❌ Two moves (and possible storage costs)
❌ Short-term rental market can be tight
❌ Disrupts routine - especially with kids or pets
Rent Out Your Current Home, Then Buy
Keep your home as a rental and use your income to qualify for the next purchase.
Pros
✅ Start building your investment portfolio
✅ Potential for long-term cash flow and appreciation
✅ Avoids selling under pressure
✅ Start building your investment portfolio
✅ Potential for long-term cash flow and appreciation
✅ Avoids selling under pressure
Cons
❌ Need strong finances to qualify for two mortgages
❌ Property management responsibilities
❌ Locks up equity you might need for your next purchase
❌ Need strong finances to qualify for two mortgages
❌ Property management responsibilities
❌ Locks up equity you might need for your next purchase
Bridge Loan
Tap into your current home equity to buy first, then sell after.
Pros
✅ Make a cash-like, non-contingent offer (more competitive)
✅ Quick approvals - often within 24 - 48 hours
✅ Move once, then prep your home for top-dollar resale
✅ Make a cash-like, non-contingent offer (more competitive)
✅ Quick approvals - often within 24 - 48 hours
✅ Move once, then prep your home for top-dollar resale
Cons
❌ Short-term loan with higher interest rates
❌ Costs and fees can add up (often 1–2 points upfront)
❌ Uncertainty if your exit property doesn’t sell as expected
❌ Short-term loan with higher interest rates
❌ Costs and fees can add up (often 1–2 points upfront)
❌ Uncertainty if your exit property doesn’t sell as expected
Buy Before You Sell Program (Journey Exclusive)
Unlock your home equity upfront so you can buy your next home first, then sell after you move.
Pros
✅ Access your equity before you sell
✅ Make a stronger, non-contingent offer
✅ Only move once
✅ Prep, stage, and market your exit home while it’s vacant
✅ Get a second check after the sale
✅ Access your equity before you sell
✅ Make a stronger, non-contingent offer
✅ Only move once
✅ Prep, stage, and market your exit home while it’s vacant
✅ Get a second check after the sale
Cons
❌ Program fees may apply (though often offset by better sale outcomes)
❌ Qualification requirements vary
❌ Slightly more paperwork than traditional options
❌ Program fees may apply (though often offset by better sale outcomes)
❌ Qualification requirements vary
❌ Slightly more paperwork than traditional options
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REVIEWS
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We’ve worked with other agents before, but Corey really stood out with how quickly he responded and kept everything moving smoothly. I’m a picky buyer, but he was consistently supportive throughout the whole process. Really great to work with and made what could’ve been a stressful experience definitely smoother.A big thank you to Corey and his team.
mullabushra2
As first-time buyers, Corey made the process easy and stress-free. He patiently answered all our questions, guided us confidently, and his deep knowledge of the Marin market was invaluable. We’re thrilled with our new home and highly recommend him
chauhml7
We’d been searching for our home for over two years and worked with two realtors before finding Corey, Michael, and the team (Christina) at Journey. From the start, they truly understood our style, values, and specific needs. What stood out most was how calm, honest, and supportive they were—never pushing us, but really listening and making sure we felt confident in our decisions.Within just eight months, they guided us patiently, even going out just to learn what we were looking for. When the right home came along, they moved quickly and made the process smooth, fair, and stress-free. Even with a short closing timeline, they were on top of every detail and made sure we felt comfortable every step of the way.Thanks to their professionalism and care, we are so excited about our new home. We would absolutely work with them again and highly recommend them to anyone looking for a thoughtful, trustworthy team.
YOUR REAL ESTATE EXPERT
Corey Robinson
Founder
Once you meet Corey Robinson, it’s easy to see why he’s a real estate agent par excellence. He may be a top producer, but it’s Corey’s compassion, authenticity, and down-to-earth demeanor that surpass any of his record-breaking transactions. Corey’s dedication to his clients has earned him several notable achievements, including Nextdoor’s Neighborhood Favorite Agent, solid five-star Zillow reviews, a Top Agent Network membership, and more than $100 million in transaction volume in the recent years.
Born and raised in Aspen, Colorado, much of Corey’s childhood centered around school sports, enjoying the outdoors, and helping out in the family restaurant, which formed the backbone of his unstoppable work ethic. After earning a degree in psychology and business from the University of Colorado, Corey managed a real estate trust in San Diego, which led him to found a restaurant and sports bar that still thrives today in the hands of his former business partner.
Corey has been a licensed California agent since 2006 and has been serving the Bay Area since 2013, when he moved with his wife, Annie, to her hometown in Marin. He started his North Bay Area real estate career as the director of marketing for Marin’s No. 1 agent, where he continually went above and beyond his role, including helping to facilitate more than $100M in transactions in his first year. Corey struck out on his own in 2014 and quickly grew his client base, winning Rising Star and Top Producer awards at Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty before establishing Journey Real Estate in 2021.
Even outside real estate, service runs in Corey’s blood, and he’s committed to helping others whenever he has the opportunity. For several years, he has donated a portion of every commission to Giveback Homes, which organizes housing projects both locally and abroad. (Corey has even hammered a few nails himself for the organization.) He also supports his children’s school, local businesses, and people in need. Sports are still a huge part of Corey’s life, and you’ll often find him hiking and biking throughout Marin, skiing in the mountains, playing in competitive sports leagues, and coaching his daughters’ soccer teams. But above all, Corey is devoted to his family — Annie and their two daughters, Bailey and Charley.
Born and raised in Aspen, Colorado, much of Corey’s childhood centered around school sports, enjoying the outdoors, and helping out in the family restaurant, which formed the backbone of his unstoppable work ethic. After earning a degree in psychology and business from the University of Colorado, Corey managed a real estate trust in San Diego, which led him to found a restaurant and sports bar that still thrives today in the hands of his former business partner.
Corey has been a licensed California agent since 2006 and has been serving the Bay Area since 2013, when he moved with his wife, Annie, to her hometown in Marin. He started his North Bay Area real estate career as the director of marketing for Marin’s No. 1 agent, where he continually went above and beyond his role, including helping to facilitate more than $100M in transactions in his first year. Corey struck out on his own in 2014 and quickly grew his client base, winning Rising Star and Top Producer awards at Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty before establishing Journey Real Estate in 2021.
Even outside real estate, service runs in Corey’s blood, and he’s committed to helping others whenever he has the opportunity. For several years, he has donated a portion of every commission to Giveback Homes, which organizes housing projects both locally and abroad. (Corey has even hammered a few nails himself for the organization.) He also supports his children’s school, local businesses, and people in need. Sports are still a huge part of Corey’s life, and you’ll often find him hiking and biking throughout Marin, skiing in the mountains, playing in competitive sports leagues, and coaching his daughters’ soccer teams. But above all, Corey is devoted to his family — Annie and their two daughters, Bailey and Charley.
385 Bel Marin Keys Blvd, Suite A, Novato, California, 94949, USA
